We can all have an opinion on what's going on with DMC and perhaps by extension, Rudy. Let us discuss the subject of tanking. I do not want a team to be told to try to lose. It goes against everything a team and a coach should do. It guarantees nothing except that the probability of getting a great player improves the worse you play.
I cannot believe DMC would tank but what I saw yesterday was very odd and in the game thread I commented several times that "something's up." DMC took one shot in two quarters. I absolutely do not think the Cleveland bigs shut down DMC. There are very few teams that could do that to DMC and Cleveland isn't one of them. Someone noted, as did I, that he turned down an open 14 footer to try a more difficult shot which he missed.
In the 4th quarter DMC cranked up his energy and scored 10 points. He looked like the Boogie we have known and loved. It was like to show that no one could REALLY shut him down. He played hard after the game was already lost.
I know this sounds absurd to the people that generally think the way I do but I think Cuz was tanking. The game before he appeared lethargic, as if he had the flu and some of us went with that theory. Maybe he was already tanking.
Let us assume Cuz was tanking along with Rudy, perhaps, but I wasn't as focused on Rudy. The question comes up as to who ordered the tank. I didn't watch Malone after the game as his demeanor would have given a clue. I am suspecting that the tank is a Rudy/Cuz deal and maybe even without Malone's OK. If it is this latter, I think it is awful.
I don't get it (scratching head). I really don't and just want to throw this out.
Let me add, I am absolutely against tanking if it means less effort by a coach or the players. A proper tank would be to put together a team that can't win and have them bust their ass. Why aren't we playing Landry? Maybe he is too good. I doubt that but it's another question that is floating through people's confused minds.
There is no team with Cuz, Rudy, and IT that should lose like they are. Throw in JT, Thornton, and Landry and you have a team that should win quite often, whatever that meant.
Before anyone goes ballistic on me arguing in either direction, give it a thought.
_________
I also have a theory that there is a tremendous amount of dissension in the locker room that mirrors the dissension on this forum. I half way supported IT on one play and almost got my head bitten off. Quite honestly I was shocked as I thought I had more respect than that. But, it shows the strength of the anger swirling around the subject of IT. I absolutely will reject any idea that just because we are angry that the team is immune from having the same feelings for any reason. They are human and they see what we see. In fact, they are effected in a more direct way.
That kind of dissension could show itself in many ways. I watched Cuz and IT and although I have seen Cuz very angry at IT, I have also seen Cuz be supportive of IT. This dissension could be over IT's style or as petty as "who's the leader?" In the thread I quoted Lincoln from 1858 and I don't think my random thought was understood: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Now Lincoln was discussing something more important than a basketball team but it was a wise statement.
In any case, I don't want to watch this crap. Let's fast forward to the end of the season.
.
Is this some European thing? To be honest, at first I thought you said "a la mode" until I typed this. Damn my vision is failing me. Freaking cataracts.
